The products, including
Vitamins C, B-2, Cold Caps, and Amoxicillin among others were concealed in
eighteen boxes on board three Guinean commercial buses.

The medicines valued at
ten-thousand United States Dollars were discovered by officers of the LRA
Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Unit (ASIU) following thorough search of the
buses.

According to a press release
issued Tuesday, May 12, 2020, the vehicles were intercepted following tipoff
from Customs informants.

The medicines were
imported into Liberia through the Liberian-Sierra Leonean Border post at Bo
Waterside in Grand Cape Mount County, by four unlicensed individuals.

The seizure is part of
ongoing regional customs enforcement operations under the auspices of the World
Customs Organization (WCO) code name Cripharm V, aimed at combating the flow of
illicit pharmaceutical products in the West African Sub-region.

Meanwhile, the LRA has
turned over the substandard pharmaceutical products to the Liberia Medicines
and Health Products Regulatory Authority (LMHRA) for onward inter-agency
coordination and action.

Speaking during the
turning over ceremony, Assistant LRA Commissioner for Customs Enforcement,
Blamo Kofa, said:” The Authority remains committed to facilitating legitimate trade,
while ensuring the protection of the Liberian people and foreign residents.”

He said:” Amidst the
Coronavirus pandemic, the LRA remains vigilant in carrying out its mandate relative
to cross border trade and to ensuring social protection for all residents of
Liberia.”

Taking delivery of the
medicines, LMHRA Managing Director, Keturah Smith, praised the LRA for the job
well done, and called for more collaboration among governmental agencies to
ensuring better health condition for the citizenry.

Director Keturah said:” This
can be achieved by jointly working towards eliminating the illegal importation
of pharmaceutical and harmful products into the Country.”